Media Package

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a media package that includes a media tray assembly and a protective cover. The media tray assembly includes at least one media-carrying component and a first latching element. The protective cover is configured to receive the media tray assembly and has a second latching element that engages the first latching element, thereby securing the media tray assembly with the protective cover.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/799,072, filed May 9, 2006, entitled “Media Package,” thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to packages for containing media such ascompact discs or DVD discs. Particularly, the present invention isdirected to a package for carrying media comprising an assembly that hasat least one media-carrying component and a protective cover configuredand adapted to receive the at least one media-carrying component, eachof which includes a latching element for engaging the other.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of media containers are known in the art for storage,transport and/or sale of media, such as compact discs (“CDs”), digitalvideo discs (“DVDs”) and the like. Of such devices, many include asimple hinged case into which a disc is inserted. Multiple disc packagesoften include a case and a plurality of disc trays formed in or attachedto the case. Typically, such trays, are not easily removed from theouter container.

Therefore, there is a need for a container for storing media, such asCDs and DVDs, which is economical to manufacture and capable ofcontaining multiple storage trays which are easily removable by a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose and advantages of the present invention will be set forth inand apparent from the description that follows. The present inventionprovides a media container for transport, display and/or storage of oneor more media discs, for example. The subject media container includesfeatures that allow a user to remove one or more discs from a protectivecover, as well as a latching feature that allows the one or more discsto be securely held within the protective cover.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the invention, as embodied, the invention includes an assembly and aprotective cover. The assembly has a plurality of media-carryingcomponents, which are configured and adapted for engaging media heldthereby, and a first latching element. The protective cover is capableof covering at least a portion of the assembly and has a second latchingelement. The assembly is adapted and configured for insertion into theprotective cover, wherein the first latching element engages the secondlatching element to inhibit removal of the assembly from the protectivecover.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the media packageincludes an assembly and a protective sleeve. The assembly includes aplurality of media-carrying components, which in-turn include one ormore trays capable of carrying media. The assembly further includes afirst latching element. The protective sleeve is adapted and configuredfor receiving the assembly and has a second latching element, whichengages the first latching element upon insertion of the assembly.

In accordance with the invention, the media is a recorded or printedmedium, and can be, for example, a disc. The media-carrying componentscan be trays and can interlock with adjacent media-carrying components.The media-carrying components can be attached along a common edgethereof and can be mutually attached with a flexible binding.Alternatively, the media-carrying components can be mutually attachedwith an intermediate element having a hinge element or mutually attachedto adjacent media carrying components by way of integrated hingingelements.

In accordance with the invention, the first latching element can be, forexample, a pawl or button and the second latching element can be, forexample, an aperture or recess defined in a wall of the protectivecover. It should be noted that the first latching element can beassociated with the protective cover and that the second latchingelement with the assembly of media-carrying components. The firstlatching element can be carried by, formed in or formed on one or aplurality of the media-carrying components. Further, the first latchingelement can be formed near a plurality of sides of the assembly toenable insertion and latching of the assembly into the protective coverin a plurality of orientations.

Further, the assembly or cover can comprise a stop to prevent theassembly from entering the cover beyond a predetermined point. The stopcan be provided on the assembly, near a hinge of the assembly.

In accordance with the invention, the protective cover can be a sleeveand can further comprise an end cap secured to one end of the sleeve todefine an internal recess for receiving the assembly. A latching elementcan be provided in the end cap.

Also in accordance with the invention, the protective cover can beshaped to resemble an object based on a theme related to the mediacontained within the package, and can include a contoured surface.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute partof this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a furtherunderstanding of the method and system of the invention. Together withthe description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosedinvention appertains will more readily understand how to make and usethe same, reference may be had to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a first representative embodiment ofa media container in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric end view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is an isometric end view of the container of FIG. 1 with themedia tray assembly partially removed;

FIG. 3 b is an exploded view of the container of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 c is a view of the tray assembly of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b;

FIG. 4 is an isometric end view of a second representative embodiment ofa media container in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric end view of the media container of FIG. 4, wherethe media tray assembly is removed from a protective cover;

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of a mediacontainer in accordance with the invention, with FIG. 6 a illustratingthe media tray assembly removed from the protective cover and theindividual trays fanned apart along the hinge axis;

FIG. 7 illustrates the media container of FIGS. 6 a and 6 b with themedia tray assembly partially removed from the protective cover;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a mediacontainer insert in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the media container tray assembly of FIG.8, illustrating an optional hinged arrangement between adjacent trays;and

FIG. 10 illustrates two alternate embodiments for trays of mediacontainers in accordance with the invention.

These and other features of the containers of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the artfrom the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to the accompanying figures for the purpose ofdescribing, in detail, preferred and exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The figures and accompanying detailed descriptionare provided to describe and illustrate exemplary manners in which thedisclosed subject matter may be made and used, and are not intended tolimit the scope thereof.

The media packages presented herein may be used for transport, displayand/or storage of media, such as recorded and/or printed media. Thepresent invention is particularly suited for use with recorded media indisc format, such as audio CDs, video DVDs and the like. Advantageously,the subject media packages are also suited for additionally oralternatively conveying printed material, such as a booklet.

For the purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation,FIGS. 1-2 and 3 a-3 c illustrate a first representative embodiment of amedia package in accordance with the present invention, designatedgenerally by reference character 100. Other embodiments of a mediapackage in accordance with the invention, and aspects thereof, areprovided in FIGS. 4-10, and are described hereinbelow.

In accordance with the invention, media package 100 is providedincluding a media tray stack 230 having a plurality of media-carryingcomponents 331 a-331 d and a first latching element. The media package100 also includes a protective cover capable of covering at least aportion of the media tray stack and having a second latching elementassociated therewith. The media tray stack is capable of being insertedinto the protective cover, and the first latching element is capable ofengaging the second latching element to inhibit removal of the mediatray stack from the protective cover.

When in use, media is housed in media tray stack 230, which is in-turnhoused within a protective cover 110 or case. The protective cover caninclude printed material, which can be provided in the form of a sleeve115. The sleeve 115, as embodied in FIGS. 1-2 and 3 a-3 c, is slid overthe protective cover 110, and is held in place at one end by an expandedwidth portion 120 of the cover 110, and at the other end by an end cap125, which engages the main body portion of the cover 110.Alternatively, the sleeve 115 can be secured to the cover 110 by anadhesive or other fastening means. Alternatively still, the printedmaterial can be printed directly onto the cover 110, or can be providedby way of planar adhesive stickers, for example.

The cover 110 includes five walls: an end wall 215; top and bottom walls216 a, 216 b; and two edge walls 217 a, 217 b. The sixth side of thecover, as embodied, includes an aperture 332 for insertion of the mediatray stack 230. It is to be understood that the cover can vary from thisconfiguration. For example, the cover can be a “partial” cover, such asone having only top and edge walls. The cover 110 has rigidifying ribs313 formed in at least one of the top and bottom walls to strengthen thecover 110 and to protect the media stored within the package.Optionally, a window 117 can be provided to allow viewing of thecontents within the cover 110. As illustrated, a user can see throughboth the sleeve 115 and cover 110 by virtue of a transparent region inthe sleeve 115 and an aperture 117 formed in the sidewall of cover 110,to see the media trays 230. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 and 3 a-3 c,a stop 312 is provided in the form of a step in the cover 110.

A media tray stack 230, including a plurality of abutting and/orconnected trays 331 a-331 d, which directly hold media, is received bythe protective cover through aperture 332 formed at one end thereof. Asillustrated, the uppermost media tray 331 d is a disc tray, and includesa disc-holding detent 338 and a central spindle 339 (or rosette) fordirectly engaging a media disc. The individual media trays 331 a-331 dof the assembly 230 can be joined along a common edge by a flexiblebinding 333 as illustrated, or by another hinge means, as described infurther detail below in connection with other embodiments. The binding333 can be of any suitable material, but is preferably a plastic film,fabric, paper or composite material attached to the media trays by anadhesive. Such configuration is described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/259,341, filed Sep. 27, 2002, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,070,048 on Jul. 4, 2006, which is expressly incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Moreover, the media tray stack 230 can behoused in a folded jacket as described in the foregoing reference, whichentire assembly can be inserted into the cover 110 in accordance withthe invention.

Alternatively, a book-like stack of trays with a cover, wherein thespine of the cover includes an extra fold to better accommodate anopened stack, such as that described in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication 2007/0000803, dated Jan. 4, 2007 (corresponding to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10,556,531) and International PatentApplication Number PCT/US2004/015201 (published as WO2004/102573), canbe substituted for the media tray stack 230. The foregoing patentapplications are expressly incorporated herein by reference, in theirentireties.

Alternatively still, the trays 331 a-331 d can simply stack on top ofone another, preferably engaging one another to inhibit relativemovement therebetween when stacked. For example, if each of the trays331 a-331 d of assembly 230 is formed to include indentations 335 tofacilitate removal of tray contents by a user, the indentations 335 canbe formed such that a complementary contour on the lower face of thetray results. For example, when stacked, the lower face of the tray 331d, at indentation 335 nests adjacent to an upper surface of the tray 331c immediately below, at the indentation 335. Such matching contours canbe provided at other locations, in connection with other features, ineach of the media trays 331 a-331 d. Alternatively still, matingelements for the express purpose of securing successive trays to oneanother can be provided. Since the cover 110 prevents relative movementof the trays 331 a-331 d from one another normal to their surface,relative transverse movement of the trays 331 a-331 d relative to oneanother is ideally additionally inhibited.

The end cap 125 is provided to enclose one end of the cover 110. The endcap 125 can attach to the cover 110 in any suitable manner. Preferably,however, the end cap 125 is mechanically fitted to the cover 110 such asby a snap feature 319, preferably a one-time snap fit, in which the capis not easily removable from the cover 110.

A latching mechanism 320 for mutual engagement of the cover 110 and themedia tray assembly 230 is provided in accordance with the invention. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 3 a-3 c, the latching mechanism320 includes an attachment portion 321 for attachment to the cover 110(in this case, to the cap 125 of the cover), a release button 323 whichis pushed by a user to move the tab portion 325. The tab portion 325extends from the button 323 and supports a pawl 327 to engage the mediatray assembly 230. The pawl 327 engages a corresponding element (notshown) on the media tray assembly 230.

As is best seen in FIG. 3 c, which is a view of the media tray assembly230 and the latching mechanism 320 removed from the cover 110, the tabportion 325 extends to a point that is between adjacent media trays. Thepawl 327 engages a corresponding recess in the underside of therespective media tray. Alternatively, an aperture can be formed throughthe entire thickness of the media tray. Naturally, the precise manner inwhich the latching elements engage can vary as necessary or desired. Aswill be apparent to one of skill in the art, other releasable latcharrangements are possible although not explicitly set forth herein.

Further, a second latching mechanism 320 can be provided along theopposite wall of the media package 100, such that the user would need to“pinch” both buttons (e.g., 323) in order to remove the tray assembly230 from the cover 110. In such an arrangement, a second button (e.g.,323), tab portion (e.g., 325) and pawl (e.g., 327) would be provided.The same attachment portion 321 can be utilized, if desired. Moreover,the two latching mechanisms can be aligned with one another or offsetalong the width of the container. Alternatively still, two latchingmechanisms can be provided side-by-side, if desired. Even more than twolatching mechanisms can be provided as well.

Each tray 331 a-331 d can be provided with latching portions on each ora plurality of sides, such that the assembly 230 can be inserted in anyorientation. If the tray assembly 230 is formed so as to includeinterlocking elements, and no binding 333 or hinge, the assembly 230 canbe inserted in such that any of the four sides thereof 371-374 can beinserted into the cover 110 first, with each tray being provided withlatching portions on each side. As such, the order in which the trays331 a-331 d are stacked and the orientation in which they are insertedinto the housing is immaterial. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 a-3 c, toachieve this aspect of the invention, each tray 331 a-331 d is providedwith four recesses on its bottom surface, one along each of the foursides thereof. If recesses are provided on both the top and bottom ofeach of the trays 331 a-331 d, or in the form of an aperture through thetrays, the tray assembly could further be inserted upside-down from theorientation illustrated.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 a, 6 b and 7-11 illustrate a second embodiment andvariations thereof of media packages in accordance with the presentinvention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are isometric end views of a secondrepresentative embodiment of a media package 500 in accordance with theinvention, with FIG. 5 showing the media tray insert 430 removed fromthe protective cover 410. This embodiment differs from the priorembodiment of FIGS. 1-2 and 3 a-3 c primarily with respect to theplacement and design of the latching mechanism 438, the manner in whichthe media trays of the media tray assembly 430 are connected, and in theconstruction of the cover 410 itself.

The cover 410, as illustrated, includes five walls, including anintegral end portion 415, top and bottom walls 416 a, 416 b andsidewalls 417 a, 417 b. A sleeve construction with end cap, as shown inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 and 3 a-3 c can be used, however. As withthe above-described embodiment, the media tray assembly 430 is insertedinto the cover 410 and releasably latches thereto.

The latching mechanism 437 includes a button 438, which is pushed by auser to release the media tray assembly 430 from the cover 410. Thebutton is integrally formed (in this embodiment) with tab 536 having apawl 439 at the distal end thereof. The tab 536 and button 438 arepreferably integrally formed with a portion of one of the trays, in thiscase, the topmost tray 431 a. The tab 536 is flexible, with respect tothe tray 431 a, which allows flexure of the tab upon depression of thebutton 438. This urges the pawl 439 away from a corresponding latchingelement of the cover 410, in this case, an aperture 411. Alternatively,the latching mechanism 437 can include a hinge and a return mechanism,such as a spring. Such spring can be, for example, a metal leaf spring.The hinge can include two mutually engaging components, can include apin, or can be a so-called “living hinge” formed by creating a reducedthickness line in the material of the media tray.

Security features to prevent theft of the contents of the media packagecan be incorporated into the package. The latching mechanism can beconfigured to include a removable component, which prevents opening ofthe package, and which is not removed until the consumer purchased themedia package and its contents at the cashier. Naturally, securityfeatures of other types can be incorporated in the subject packages aswell. For example, packages in accordance with the present invention caninclude a feature such as the Red Tag™ system, available fromAGI-AMARAY. Such system includes a removable locking element whichprevents removal of a disc held in a disc tray. Such locking elementscan be utilized in individual ones of a plurality of trays in accordancewith the invention, or can be modified to include multiple prongs toengage a plurality of disc trays with a locking element. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/027,938, filed Jan. 4, 2005, which is herebyincorporated by reference, describes this feature in further detail.

When the user inserts the media tray assembly 430 into the cover 410,the position of the resting position of the tab 536, and the height ofthe pawl 439 are preferably such that the tab 536 initially deflectsdownward as the pawl passes under a latching portion 412 of the cover410. When the pawl 439 reaches the aperture 411, the tab and pawl 439will move upward and the pawl 439 will engage the aperture 411, due tothe resiliency of the material of the tab 536 and/or a spring, asdescribed above.

The trays 431 a-431 c of the media tray assembly 430 are, in thisembodiment, hingedly attached to adjacent trays. In such embodiment,elements on one tray engage elements on one or more adjacent trays, andare thus concatenated. Such feature is described in International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2005/014580 (published as WO2005/106885A1), whichis expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. The foregoingpatent application describes, in part, a binding clip that can be usedwith a stack of trays, wherein each tray includes a docking appendage.The binding clip includes segments connected by flexible links, witheach segment having a dock portion for receiving a docking appendage.

Unique trays are provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5. The topmedia tray 431 a includes the latching mechanism 437. The bottom mediatray 431 c can also include a latching mechanism with or without acorresponding aperture on the cover 410. Alternatively, the bottom mediatray 431 c can be provided without a latching mechanism 437. Byconfiguring the positioning of the latching elements as desired, theuser can be able to insert the media tray assembly 430 in only one way,or in two ways, with the media tray assembly 430 flipped. Thepositioning of cutout 414 with respect to the contoured button 438 canhelp guide the user to insert the assembly 430 in only the prescribedmanner. However, the media package 500 can be configured such that suchcutout 414 is not necessary.

As shown particularly in FIG. 6 a, and FIGS. 8-10, media trays inaccordance with the invention can take on various shapes and functions.With reference to FIG. 6 a, a media tray assembly 630 having a top mediatray 631, a middle media tray 632 and a bottom media tray 633 areprovided. In this embodiment, the top 631 and bottom 633 media traysinclude disc-holding detents 638 and are identical to one another. Theyinclude an arcuate contoured surface as indicated by reference number639 a, which corresponds with contour 639 b of the cover 610. Although alatching mechanism is not shown in FIGS. 8-10, a mechanism such as thatshown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be readily incorporated into the design. Alatching mechanism(s), such as that described in connection with FIGS. 4and 5 can be provided on one or both of the top 631 and bottom 633 mediatrays.

Media trays in accordance with the invention can include trays havingspindles on each of a top and bottom surface of the tray. Such spindlescan be co-axial or can be offset to reduce thickness and/or so that bothdiscs are readily visible. Such an arrangement is described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/781,445, filed Mar. 10, 2006,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The middle media tray 632 can be configured to hold a media disc, butcan also, as illustrated, be configured with a substantially rectangularrecess 637. As is better seen in FIG. 10, tray 1033 includes a recess1034 for receiving a rectangular item, such as a printed booklet. Tabs1037 are provided to hold the contents of the tray 1033. Aperture 1035is provided to facilitate removal of the tray's contents by making thecontents easily accessible, for example, by the user's finger.

As seen in FIG. 10, an end tray 1031 for use on the bottom and/or top ofa media tray assembly, which is not configured to hold any particularobject—neither a media disc nor a booklet—can be incorporated into anyof the media tray assemblies described herein.

Hinge region 435 can be of any suitable type. The hinge can be that of aflexible binding type as described above, can include a common hingeelement to which each of the media trays is hingedly connected, or canbe formed through hinged interconnection of adjacent trays. The hingeregion 435, which includes portions of each media tray, extends to outeredges of the package and acts as a stop when inserting the media trayassembly 430 into the cover 410.

FIG. 6 b illustrates the entire media package 600 including media trayassembly 435 inserted in cover 610. The cover includes printed material615 which can be in the form of a sleeve, or other separately appliedprinted element, or can be printed directly onto the cover 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates the media package 600, with the media tray assembly630 partially removed from the cover 610.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a variation of the above described media trays,including a media tray stack 830 including a plurality of middle mediatrays 834. The middle media trays 834 can be configured to hold mediadiscs or booklets, for example, as shown in FIG. 10. As illustrated, thetop tray 831 a and bottom tray 831 b include disc-retaining detents 838.As seen in FIG. 9, the topmost middle tray 834 a also includes such adetent. As best seen in FIG. 8, the outer trays 831 a, 831 b can includea larger edge radius 836 than inner trays 834 to aide insertion of thetrays into a cover. As can be seen, the contour of the face 817transitions into a flat wall along the end opposite the hinge region835. If the transition were abrupt, such as a squared-off corner, itwould be difficult for a user to insert the media tray stack 830 into acover. Accordingly, the increased edge radius of the outer trays 831 a,831 b helps guide the media tray stack 830 into a cover.

In accordance with the invention, any combination of middle and outertrays is possible. The outer trays can be configured to be plain (notfor holding media), they can be configured to hold printed media or theycan be configured to hold recorded media, as can the middle trays.

Moreover, any total number of trays is possible. Any number of middletrays 834 can be used in accordance with the invention. These trays canmutually engage one another when stacked, can be attached with aflexible binding, can be hinged to one another or can be hingedlyconnected to one adjacent media trays. Further, if desired, the trayscan be mutually connected to adjacent trays by a pivot, so that they canrotate in the plane of the tray to “fan” open. Such pivot is preferablyprovided near a corner of the trays.

Naturally, the middle trays can be configured in any order desired.Further, as is apparent from the first described embodiment, specialouter trays, as trays 831 a, 831 b need not be required in everyembodiment.

The cover (e.g., 110) in any of the foregoing embodiments can be shapedin accordance with the shape of the media tray assembly (e.g., 230)inserted therein, or can be configured to take on any shape, such as ashape in accordance with a theme of a motion picture recorded on themedia contained therein. For example, if the media contained within themedia package relates to a motion picture on auto racing, the cover canbe in the shape of a racecar into which the media tray assembly fits.

The materials for the subject media container, for the purpose ofserving as an example only, are as follows. The media trays themselvescan be made from a plastic material such as, for example, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate a paperboardmaterial, a metal such as aluminum, or a composite material. Theprotective cover can be formed of plastic, metal, paperboard orcomposite materials. The sleeve (e.g., 115), which includes printedmaterial can be of any of the foregoing materials, for example, and caninclude one or more transparent regions, such as at window 117.

It is to be understood that although certain features are shown anddescribed in connection with particular embodiments, that these featurescan be integrated with other embodiments and can replace or supplementsimilar features in those embodiments. It will also be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the device and method of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that thepresent invention include modifications and variations that are withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1) A package for carrying media comprising: a) an assembly of media-carrying components, each of the media-carrying components being adapted and configured for engaging media, the assembly having a first latching element associated therewith; b) a protective cover adapted and configured for receiving and covering at least a portion of the assembly of media-carrying components, the protective cover having a second latching element associated therewith, c) wherein when the assembly of media-carrying components is inserted into the protective cover, the first latching element engages with the second latching element to inhibit removal of the assembly from the protective cover. 2) The package of claim 1, wherein the media is a recorded disc medium. 3) The package of claim 1, wherein the media is a printed medium. 4) The package of claim 1, wherein the media-carrying components are trays. 5) The package of claim 1, wherein each of the media-carrying components is adapted and configured to interlock with adjacent media-carrying components. 6) The package of claim 1, wherein the media-carrying components of the assembly are attached along a common edge thereof. 7) The package of claim 6, wherein the media-carrying components are mutually attached with a flexible binding. 8) The package of claim 6, wherein the media-carrying components are mutually attached with an intermediate element having a hinge element. 9) The package of claim 6, wherein each media-carrying component is mutually attached to at least one other adjacent media-carrying component by way of a hinge element integrated therein. 10) The package of claim 1, wherein the first latching element is a pawl or button and the second latching element is an aperture or recess defined by the protective cover. 11) The package of claim 1, wherein the first latching element is an aperture or recess defined by a wall of the media-carrying component and the second latching element is a pawl or button. 12) The package of claim 1, wherein the first latching element is carried by, formed in or formed on one of the media-carrying components. 13) The package of claim 1, wherein the first latching element is carried by, formed in or formed on a plurality of the media-carrying components. 14) The package of claim 1, wherein the first latching element is formed near a plurality of sides of the assembly to enable insertion and latching of the assembly into the protective cover in a plurality of orientations. 15) The package of claim 1, wherein either the assembly or protective cover further comprises a stop to prevent the assembly from entering the protective cover beyond a predetermined point. 16) The package of claim 15, wherein the protective cover comprises said stop. 17) The package of claim 15, wherein the stop is provided on the assembly, near a hinge of the assembly. 18) The package of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is a sleeve. 19) The package of claim 18, the protective cover further comprising an end cap secured to one end of the sleeve to define an internal recess for receiving the assembly. 20) The package of claim 19, wherein the second latching element is positioned in the end cap. 21) The package of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is shaped to resemble an object based on a theme related to the media contained within the package. 22) The package of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is formed to include a contoured surface. 23) A package for carrying media comprising: a) an assembly including a plurality of media-carrying components, the media-carrying components including one or more trays configured for carrying media, the assembly further including a first latching element; and b) a protective sleeve configured for receiving the assembly, the sleeve having a second latching element capable of engaging the first latching element and preventing the removal of the assembly from within the protective sleeve. 24) A package for carrying media comprising: a) an assembly having: i) at least one media-carrying component; and ii) a first latching element; and b) a protective cover configured for receiving the assembly, the protective cover having a second latching element capable of engaging the first latching element. 25) The package of claim 24, the assembly further comprising at least one cover element hingedly attached thereto. 26) A method for packaging media, the method comprising: a) providing an assembly of media-carrying components, each of the media-carrying components being adapted and configured for engaging media, the assembly having a first latching element associated therewith; b) providing a protective cover adapted and configured for receiving and covering at least a portion of the assembly, the protective cover having a second latching element associated therewith; c) inserting media into at least one of the media-carrying components; and d) inserting the assembly into the protective cover, the first latching element engaging with the second latching element to inhibit removal of the assembly from the protective cover. 27) A method for packaging media, the method comprising: a) providing an assembly including a plurality of media-carrying components, the media-carrying components including one or more trays configured for carrying media, the assembly further including a first latching element; and b) inserting media into at least one of the media-carrying components; c) providing a protective sleeve configured for receiving the assembly, the sleeve having a second latching element capable of engaging the first latching element; and d) inserting the assembly into the protective sleeve, permitting the first and second latching elements to engage one another. 28) A method for packaging media, the method comprising: a) providing an assembly having: i) at least one media-carrying component; and ii) a first latching element; b) inserting media into the at least one media-carrying component; c) providing a protective cover configured for receiving the assembly, the protective cover having a second latching element capable of engaging the first latching element; and d) inserting the assembly into the protective cover, permitting the first and second latching elements to engage one another. 